Arsenal Told to Pay £75m Upfront to Sign Bundesliga Star | OneFootball

Arsenal Told to Pay £75m for Sesko as Leipzig Stand Firm in Talks

Arsenal’s pursuit of a proven No. 9 has taken a significant step forward — and a financial reality check. As reported by Sky Sports, the Gunners have opened talks with RB Leipzig over the signing of Benjamin Sesko, but the German club are refusing to budge on their valuation.

With Mikel Arteta intent on adding a central striker to complement his fluid attacking system, Sesko has emerged as a priority target. Yet any hopes of securing the 21-year-old at a discounted rate appear over. As Mail Sport reports, “RB Leipzig sport director Marcel Schafer has told Arsenal counterpart Andrea Berta that they want a fixed fee of £75m for the 21-year-old.”

That’s just the base fee. Additional clauses and performance-related bonuses could see the deal rise considerably.

Photo: IMAGO

Leipzig Take a Firm Stance

RB Leipzig are not a selling club in the traditional sense, they move players on, but on their terms. Sesko, still only 21, fits their model perfectly: young, athletic, tactically versatile, and improving season-on-season. Having only joined Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg in 2023, the Slovenian international is seen as a cornerstone of their short-term project.

But every player has a price, and Leipzig have made theirs crystal clear. It’s now up to Arsenal to decide whether Sesko’s upside — goals, link-up play, presence in the box — justifies the fee.

Striker Priority Clear for Arsenal

Arteta’s need for a natural finisher has never been more evident. Despite the progress of Kai Havertz in a hybrid forward role and the industry of Gabriel Jesus, neither has quite filled the void of a clinical, penalty-box striker. In games where fine margins matter, particularly in the Champions League and tight domestic encounters, Sesko could offer that decisive edge.

Tall, mobile and confident with both feet, Sesko scored regularly in the Bundesliga and showed flashes of elite-level movement that would translate well into the Premier League. His style has drawn comparisons with Erling Haaland — a lofty benchmark, but one that reflects his potential trajectory.

Photo IMAGO

Fee Reflects Market Shift

While £75m feels steep, this is the going rate for top-end young forwards with European pedigree and long-term resale value. Arsenal, who have tended to spend smartly rather than wildly in recent windows, will now weigh whether this is the moment to stretch their budget.

With interest in Sesko from other Premier League clubs, speed may be as important as strategy. And if Arsenal hesitate, they may find themselves back at square one — again chasing strikers who either don’t fit or won’t move.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Arsenal fans, this is exactly the type of move we’ve needed for years. For all the technical brilliance in this squad, there’s still a sense we lack that cold-blooded striker who can bury chances and change games when the rest aren’t firing.

Benjamin Sesko looks and plays like a forward made for Arteta’s system. He stretches defences, presses well, and has that knack for finding space at the right moment. He’s young, hungry, and nowhere near his ceiling — which is precisely what we’ve built this team around.

Yes, £75m is a serious fee. But this isn’t about paying for where Sesko is now — it’s about who he could become over the next five years. You only have to look at Haaland or even Darwin Núñez to understand that if you wait too long, you pay more — or miss out entirely.

If Edu and Berta can get this over the line, it sends a real message. We’re not just here to compete — we’re here to build a team that lasts. Sesko could be the final piece in an attack that truly challenges for everything.